EP1512119B1 - Counter for counting metered doses of liquid, pasty, or solid products and device for the metered dispensing of such products - Google Patents

Abstract

A counter including at least one counting ring, a switch, and an actuator movable in its longitudinal axis direction. The switch includes a guide and a switching element movable in an axial and azimuthal direction relative to the guide. The guide has at least one curved surface, directing at least one projecting part disposed on the switching element. A switching cam on the switching element meshes with toothing of the counting ring. The switching device converts linear movement of the actuator into rotational movement of the counting ring. The counting ring, secured by ratchets, rotates one angular increment each actuation of the actuator. The counter is suitable for different storage containers dispensing a product portion by portion and can be configured as a daily quantity counter or a total quantity counter, for example. The counter components are inserted into each other and held together by catch elements.

Description

The invention relates to a counter for counting metered doses of liquid, pasty or solid products, such as medicines or the like, from a storage container. The counter comprises at least one counting ring, a switching device and a substantially linearly movable in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the counter actuating means.

The invention aims to adapt such a counter to special requirements in terms of function and reliability.

Such counters are used, for example, in facilities from which tablets or small amounts of a liquid are dispensed in portions from a storage container, for example as drops or as a spray. In the case of a tablet dispenser, for example, they serve to reliably detect the respective amount of tablets to be taken by a user per day. For this purpose, each actuation of the mechanism of the dispenser leading to the dispensing of a tablet or dose of liquid is counted and displayed on a daily basis by means of one or two counting rings. The user can see exactly how many tablets or fluid doses he has already taken in one day and whether there are more to be taken.

In addition, such counters can also be used to display the total amount of dispensed tablets, liquid cans, drops or the like, so that it can be recognized how many subsets have already been taken from an existing total quantity. Conversely, the counter can be used to display the still removable from the reservoir subsets.

The same detection options are available in the case of an aerosol dispenser. Here too, depending on the design of the counter, the number of subsets taken on a single day or the total number of subsets taken or the number of subsets still to be removed from the storage container can be displayed.

In addition to the counting of withdrawn subsets of a drug, such a counter can also be used to count the output from a reservoir subsets of any other liquid, pasty or solid products.

Known counters are very complicated from a variety of individual elements built up. For example, counters are known which, for moving a counting ring by an angular increment in a single operation, comprise a toggle mechanism consisting of a plurality of complex shaped and co-operating parts. In addition, counters are known which comprise a plurality of cooperating disk units and various means for transmitting the rotational movement from one disk unit to the other. Each of the known counters is quite complex, which brings the risk of malfunction. However, a malfunction of the counter can lead to serious consequential damage, especially if the counter is used to count withdrawn subsets of a drug.

A counter of the generic type is made DE 298 14 647 U1 known. For indexing a counter ring, a shift finger is present, which is designed as a movably mounted toggle lever, and engages for indexing on a counter on the counting ring. The structure is complicated and error-prone.

Furthermore, as prior art GB 1 317 315 to call, in which a counter is described with only a coaxially arranged counting ring, which is associated with a substantially linear and movable in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the counter actuating means. For switching, a switching element is provided, which cooperates with a guide element. At the periphery of the guide element angle levers are pivoted, which are pressed upon actuation of the actuating means and pivoted about the axis, whereby the switching element is moved by an angle increment.

In DE 33 02 160 A1 an operable metering device is provided with a counting device comprising a counting ring mounted on a base part, which is incremented by an indexing device with cooperating, corresponding chamfered ribs per actuating stroke by one step.

A counter of the generic type is also off EP 0 949 584 known.

The invention has for its object to provide a counter with a functionally reliable switching and counting mechanism, which is forcibly actuated when removing a subset of a total amount contained in a reservoir and switched.

• mindestens einen Zählring umfasst, der koaxial zur Längsachse des Zählwerks angeordnet ist und drehbar gelagert ist, und
• mit einer Schaltvorrichtung zum Drehen des Zählrings beim Betätigen eines Betätigungsmittels versehen ist, das im Wesentlichen linear und in Richtung der Längsachse des Zählwerks bewegbar ist. Beim Betätigen des Betätigungsmittels wird eine Dosis des Produktes aus dem Vorratsbehälter abgegeben.

This object is achieved by a counter for counting metered doses of liquid, pasty or solid products from a reservoir, wherein the counter

• comprises at least one counting ring, which is arranged coaxially to the longitudinal axis of the counter and is rotatably mounted, and
• is provided with a switching device for rotating the counting ring upon actuation of an actuating means which is substantially linear and movable in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the counter. Upon actuation of the actuating means, a dose of the product is dispensed from the reservoir.

• Die Schaltvorrichtung umfasst ein Führungselement und ein Schaltelement, die beide koaxial zur Längsachse angeordnet sind, wobei das Schaltelement bezüglich des Führungselements axial und azimutal bewegbar ist.
• Das Schaltelement weist einen Vorsprung auf, der beim Betätigen des Betätigungsmittels entlang einer am Führungselement vorgesehenen Kurvenfläche derart geführt wird, dass ein am Schaltelement vorgesehener Schaltnocken in Eingriff mit einer an dem mindestens einen Zählring vorgesehenen Nockenaufnahme gebracht und anschliessend eine Drehbewegung eingeleitet wird, durch die der mindestens eine Zählring um ein Winkelinkrement gedreht wird.

The counter is characterized by the following features:

• The switching device comprises a guide element and a switching element, which are both arranged coaxially to the longitudinal axis, wherein the switching element with respect to the guide element is axially and azimuthally movable.
• The switching element has a projection which is guided during actuation of the actuating means along a cam surface provided on the guide element in such a way that a switch cam provided on the switching element is brought into engagement with a cam receiver provided on the at least one counting ring and subsequently a rotational movement is initiated by which at least one counting ring is rotated by an angle increment.

In a further embodiment, the counter comprises a first and a second counting ring. Both counting rings are arranged coaxially to the longitudinal axis of the counter; they are rotatably mounted relative to each other and coupled to each other. This counter is provided with a coupling device with which the first counting ring is coupled to the second counting ring for moving both counting rings together.

In this mechanism, at least one cam surface is provided on the fixed guide element as a guide surface for a provided on the switching element, along the cam surface sliding projection. If a dispensing device which comprises the counter according to the invention is actuated via an actuating means, the switching element is thereby moved coaxially, with the protrusion resting against the guide surface. The guide surface is guided so that, on the one hand, a switching cam provided on the switching cam engages in a cam receiver provided on the first counting ring. On the other hand, a rotational movement is initiated by means of the selected curve shape in a further movement of the actuating means and thus of the switching element. By the rotational movement of the switching element is - caused by the cam engagement - the first counting ring rotated by an angle increment, which depends on the length of the movement path of the actuating means and thus the stroke of the switching element. In order for a forced expiring mechanism is realized, which compelling detects the actuation of the mechanism for dispensing a dose of the product from the reservoir.

The cam surface is preferably at the end of a recess of the wall of the im Attached substantially annular guide member, wherein the projection engages in the recess. The shape of the cam surface according to the invention, a movement of the switching element can be achieved, which is an axial movement at the beginning, then a combined axial and azimuthal movement and at the end of the lifting movement is preferably an axial movement. This has the advantage that the rotational movement, with which the actuation of the actuating means is detected, only after an axial movement and thus after a sufficiently wide depressions of the actuating means used. This does not lead to any, for example, inadvertently resulting slight actuation of the actuating means to a count. By appropriate variation of the curve shape, any movement can be realized. The initiation of the rotation can be changed almost arbitrarily by appropriate slope of the cam surface. For example, at the beginning of the initiated rotational movement, a relatively small rotation relative to the stroke of the switching element can be achieved, and only later can use the strong rotational movement by appropriately changed waveform, which leads to the counting of the stroke of the switching element.

According to the invention, the guide element may be essentially annular and the switching element may be substantially hollow-cylindrical. The switching element can be arranged in the interior of the guide element. For safety reasons and to further improve the functionally reliable system, it has proven to be expedient if two preferably mutually opposite projections on the switching element and two preferably mutually opposite cam surfaces on the guide element are present. In this embodiment, the switching element is guided at two points, whereby tilting at a pressure-related load of the switching element is difficult. Even with only one projection and one cam surface, the tilting of the switching element is prevented when the switching element is guided in the interior of the annular guide element.

It when the switching element is movable against a restoring force is particularly advantageous. The switching element is returned by the restoring force back to its initial position as soon as the pressure caused by the actuation of the actuating means disappears. The restoring force can preferably be generated by a spring. Thereby, the switching element is pushed back after the disappearance of the operating pressure. In such a case, it is expedient if a further cam surface is present, to which the switching element is pressed with the (respective) projection and is guided along this cam surface back to the starting position. In this case, there is a second forced guidance using a cam surface.

It is particularly effective if the restoring force generating spring is a helical spring which is mounted with its one end to a base plate and with its other end to the switching element. Then, during rotation and displacement of the switching element forced by the cam surface, the coil spring is twisted and compressed. The switching element is pushed back while returning to the starting position as soon as the pressure on the actuating means has disappeared and the switching cam is no longer engaged in the cam receiver.

The switching cam is conveniently formed in extension of the projection. The teeth of the first counter ring cooperates with the switching cam. The teeth of the first counting ring has on the switching cam side facing an inclined surface. When the switching element is moved axially upon actuation of the actuating means and the switching cam is immersed in the toothing, the switching cam initially abuts against the inclined surface. During the further axial movement of the switching cam, the first rotational movement is initiated. Subsequently, this rotational movement is continued according to the shape of the cam surface.

The switching element is securely guided in the annular and also hollow cylindrical guide element. For this purpose, a plurality of guide sections are preferably provided, against which the switching element rests and on which it slides along. Thus, especially in the case of using the counter together with an aerosol container, the air is sucked safely, it is expedient if at least one region is present in which the switching element has a distance from the guide element. As a result, an air duct can be realized.

With targeted manipulation or accidentally, a counting ring can turn back, whereby the counting result is falsified. In order to prevent such an error, according to the invention at least two pawls may be present on the guide element. Depending on a pawl cooperates with a toothing of the first and second counting ring, that rotation of the counting ring is locked in the direction opposite to the counting direction. Trained as spring arms pawls have corresponding inclined surfaces on which a tooth flank of the teeth engages and raises the pawl in a tooth rotation, which then locked behind the toothing. It is expedient if in each case two mutually staggered pawls are present, which engage at different angles of rotation during rotation of the respective counting ring in the toothing. By means of these pawls, which can be designated as primary and secondary pawls, a product delivery can be detected, which has already taken place if the actuating means has not been pushed completely through. In this case, the first pawl engages on, for example, when the rotation is only 90% of the total rotation. With a rotation of, for example, 90% of the total rotation, the subset may already be delivered, although the entire stroke of the switching element is not yet passed. Now, if the actuating means relieved, so on the one hand, the count is registered, on the other hand, the counting ring is locked by the earlier engaging pawl. Upon complete pressing of the actuating means, both pawls engage. As a result, manipulation of the counter is prevented, since for a manipulation-related turning back of a counting ring both pawls must be disengaged, which is almost impossible if the counter and thus the pawls are encapsulated in a housing.

According to a development of the invention can be provided on the guide element guide surfaces for the first and the second counting ring and at least two locking elements. One of these locking elements engages behind a latching portion of the second counting ring. The other latching element engages behind a latching portion of the base plate, which guides the first counting ring, on the side opposite the guide element. Thus, the counting rings, the guide element, the switching element, the spring element and the base plate form a manageable unit. The core of the counter comprises only these six elements. They are all held together by means of two locking elements which engage at corresponding latching sections of the end-side parts, namely the second counting ring and the base plate. All six elements of the index practically form an insoluble, manageable unit. This unit can be used for example in an elbow, which is placed on an aerosol container.

According to the invention, the coupling device can comprise at least one first protrusion present on a base plate and a detent pawl with a second protrusion present on the first counterring. The first projection cooperates with the second projection at a corresponding rotational position of the first counter ring, the detent pawl being raised and engaging in a toothing provided on the second counter ring. By appropriate positioning of the first projection on the base plate, after an arbitrary number of actuations, the first counting ring can be coupled to the second counting ring and the second counting ring can be further rotated by an angle increment. For example, a daily amount counter, the projection on the base plate may be arranged so that a total of three individual doses per day can be seen from the reservoir, and when removing the third dose, the counting rings coupled and rotated together. The first counting ring indicates the number of individual doses, the second counting ring indicates, for example, the day of the week or the day of the month. The second counting ring then opens For example, the next counting day shows a "1" so that the user knows he has not taken a dose the following day, but all the prescribed doses have been taken for the current day. By appropriate number of teeth on the second counting ring and appropriate positioning of the optionally several projections on the base plate, it is possible to set any number of daily doses and thus of coupling times.

Furthermore, a stop may be present on the guide element, against which a projection provided on the second counting ring strikes as soon as the second counting ring has reached its end position. In a Restmengenzählwerk prevents the stop abutting the projection that the second counting ring on which, for example, the numbers 31, 29, 28, .... 3, 2, 1 are applied, despite the actuation of the actuating means is further rotated when the last dose taken has been. If no blocking means is provided here, the second counting ring of 1 is again rotated to the number 31, which irritates the user. In order to prevent corresponding even in the first counting ring, a cover portion for partially covering the first counting ring may be provided on the second counting ring, which is rotated when moving the second counting ring in its end position in a visual position. This cover section is then rotated into a viewing window when the last dose has been removed and the two counting rings indicate "000". The second counting ring can not be rotated further due to the blocking, but otherwise the first counting ring, which jumps back to "9" on further operation. So that this "9" is not visible, the first counting ring is partially covered by means of the cover section. Upon further actuation of the device the Abdeckabschnit remains immovable in the viewing window. The remaining amount can be removed from the reservoir without a counter display is visible.

The counting rings, the guide element and the switching element may be housed in a substantially hollow cylindrical housing having at least one window portion through which the markings attached to the outer surface of the counting rings are visible. The counting rings are preferably made of plastic and can be marked by laser inscription. For better recognition of the markings, an optical magnification element in the form of a magnifying glass can be arranged in the window section. The housing is preferably made of plastic. If a transparent plastic is used, the optical magnification element may be integrally formed on the housing.

In the case of a daily quantity counter, for example, the number of the respective daily doses can be displayed by means of the first counting ring and the respective weekday or the day of the month by means of the second counting ring. In order to set the counting rings to the desired starting position, the housing may have openings through which in each case one Gearing on the first and the second counting ring can be intervened for parking purposes. The user can adjust the counting rings accordingly using a small tool or the like. In this case, each counting ring can be assigned in each case two openings arranged at a distance from one another on the circumference of the housing, which allow handling by right and left-handers.

In order to connect the housing firmly with its "inner workings", latching elements for engaging behind a latching section on the base plate can be provided on at least one end face of the housing. On the opposite end face of the housing may be present a shoulder the actuating means gegenlagemde. The switching element abuts directly on the actuating means axially displaceable actuating means and is coupled in its movement with the actuating means directly.

The actuating means may be a key which is fixedly coupled as part of the counter. On the key, for example, in a dispenser for tablets or the like on its counter side facing an actuating tappet attached. The actuating tappet acts through the counter through a mechanism integrated in the reservoir for dispensing tablets. The reservoir can either be firmly connected to the counter, or the reservoir can be releasably connected to the counter.

In a dispenser for tablets or the like, a lid may be formed or attached to the base plate, which covers the reservoir. In the case of a dispenser for an aerosol, a spray nozzle can be molded or fastened to the base plate.

It has proven to be useful to provide a safety mechanism that prevents inadvertent or unauthorized operation of the device. This safety mechanism, which initially requires a rotation of the actuating means, for example, for actuating the actuating means, serves in particular as a child safety device.

In addition to the counter according to the invention, the invention relates to a device for the metered dispensing of liquid, pasty or solid products, in particular medicaments. This device comprises a supply container containing the product to be dispensed and an inventive counter of the type described above.

The counter can be detachably mounted on the reservoir, and the reservoir can be replaced or refilled. This is expedient in particular for tablet dispensers and other devices for metered dispensing of liquid or pasty products. In the case of an aerosol dispenser, a counter according to the invention which can be applied detachably can be reused several times.

Finally, according to a development of the invention, a counter according to the invention can be integrated in a - possibly angled - mouthpiece detachably or permanently. A reservoir, for example an aerosol bottle, can be detachably inserted into the mouthpiece. In the mouthpiece, for example, a spray nozzle can be firmly integrated, and the counter including aerosol can be releasably inserted into the mouthpiece. The mouthpiece can be reused, and the aerosol bottle can be replaced after emptying. If necessary, the counter itself can also be reused.

• Es hat einen funktionssicheren Mechanismus zum Führen des Schaltelements. Das Zählwerk ist insgesamt aufgrund der Zwangsführung durch die Kurvenfläche funktionssicher.
• Durch Variieren der Form der Kurvenfläche am Führungselement kann ein fast beliebiger Bewegungsablauf des Schaltelements erreicht werden.
• Durch das Sichern jedes Zählrings mittels zweier Sperrklinken und die Kapselung des Zählwerks in einem Gehäuse kann das Zurückdrehen eines Zählrings und damit die Manipulation des Zählwerks verhindert werden.
• Das gesamte Zählwerk ist aufgrund der geringen Anzahl seiner Elemente preiswert herstellbar und einfach montierbar.
• Es kann sehr klein gehalten werden.
• Es kann bei fast allen handelsüblichen Geräten zum Abgeben von dosierten Teilmengen aus einem Vorratsbehälter ohne wesentliche Veränderung eingesetzt werden.
• Es kann bei allen Spendern eingesetzt werden, bei denen die Anzahl der dosierten Teilmengen zuverlässig angezeigt werden soll, die in einer vorgegebenen Zeitspanne abgegeben werden.
• Die Verwendung des Zählwerks ist nicht auf Spender beschränkt, aus denen dosierte Teilmengen eines Medikaments abgegeben werden.
• Die üblichen Vorratsbehälter, aus denen dosierte Teilmengen abgegeben werden, brauchen zum Zusammenwirken mit dem Zählwerk nicht verändert zu werden.

The inventive counter has the following advantages:

• It has a functionally reliable mechanism for guiding the switching element. Overall, the counter is functionally reliable due to the positive guidance by the curved surface.
• By varying the shape of the cam surface on the guide element, an almost arbitrary movement of the switching element can be achieved.
• By securing each counting ring by means of two pawls and the encapsulation of the counter in a housing, the turning back of a counter ring and thus the manipulation of the counter can be prevented.
• The entire counter is inexpensive to produce and easy to install due to the small number of its elements.
• It can be kept very small.
• It can be used in almost all commercial equipment for dispensing metered subsets from a reservoir without significant change.
• It can be used with all dispensers, where the number of dosed subsets to be reliably displayed, which are delivered in a given period of time.
• The use of the meter is not limited to dispensers from which metered portions of a drug are dispensed.
• The usual reservoir from which metered subsets are delivered, need not be changed to cooperate with the counter.

Fig. 1

eine Ansicht einer Abgabeeinrichtung mit einem erfindungsgemässen Zählwerk Fig. 2 in einer ersten Ausführungsform, eine Sprengdarstellung der Abgabeeinrichtung aus Fig. 1,

Fig. 3

eine Ansicht einer Abgabeeinrichtung mit einem erfindungsgemässen Zählwerk in einer zweiten Ausführungsform,

Fig.4

eine Sprengdarstellung der Abgabeeinrichtung aus Fig. 3,

Fig.5

eine Perspektivansicht eines Führungselements,

Fig.6

eine Perspektivansicht eines Schaltelements,

Fig.7

eine Perspektivansicht einer Feder,

Fig. 8 und 9

Perspektivansichten der Ober- und Unterseiten des ersten Zählrings,

Fig.10

eine Perspektivansicht des zweiten Zählrings,

Fig.11

eine Perspektivansicht der Grundplatte,

Fig. 12 und 13

zwei perspektivische Ansichten des Gehäuses und

Fig. 14 und 15

perspektivische Ansichten einer Spraydüse.

Further features and details of the invention will become apparent from the following embodiments and from the drawings. Showing:

Fig. 1

a view of a dispenser with an inventive counter Fig. 2 in a first embodiment, an exploded view of the dispenser Fig. 1 .

Fig. 3

a view of a dispenser with a counter according to the invention in a second embodiment,

Figure 4

an exploded view of the dispenser Fig. 3 .

Figure 5

a perspective view of a guide element,

Figure 6

a perspective view of a switching element,

Figure 7

a perspective view of a spring,

8 and 9

Perspective views of the top and bottom sides of the first counting ring,

Figure 10

a perspective view of the second counting ring,

Figure 11

a perspective view of the base plate,

FIGS. 12 and 13

two perspective views of the housing and

FIGS. 14 and 15

Perspective views of a spray nozzle.

Fig. 1 shows an inventive device (1) for the metered dispensing of a product, for example, each of a single tablet. The device consists of an inventive counter (2), which is placed on a reservoir (3). The reservoir (3) is immovably connected to the base plate (14) of the counter (2). When using the device according to Fig. 2 An actuator in the form of a key (4) is to be pressed into the housing of the counter, whereby a mechanism located in the reservoir is actuated, via which a tablet is dispensed from the reservoir (3). By means of the counter, this tablet dispensing is detected and displayed in a window opening (5) in the housing (6) of the counter by means of the numbers visible in the window (7). In this embodiment, a daily amount counter shows the number of tablets dispensed from the storage container in one day. The number "01" indicates the day of the current month, here the first of the month, the number "4" indicates that the fourth tablet was taken on that day.

In Fig. 2 is an exploded view of all elements of the device (1) Fig. 1 shown. The device (1) comprises an actuating means in the form of a button (4), at the end of which an actuation tappet (8) is mounted which cooperates with a mechanism for dispensing tablets integrated in the reservoir (3). The button (4) is integrated in the housing (6) and held captive there.

The counter (2) comprises a first counting ring (9) and a second counting ring (10), which display the information about the output from the reservoir subsets. The daily amount counter shows on the first counting ring (9) the number of days taken subsets, the second counting ring (10) indicates the respective day of the month. The two counting rings (9) and (10) are made of plastic and labeled on their outsides with the appropriate number sequences. The second counting ring (10) carries the number sequences "01, 02, 03, ...., 29, 30, 31", the first counting ring (9) carries, depending on the product specification, the numbers "0, 1, 2, ... x ", depending on the daily dose prescribed to the user. For example, "x" can be "12".

Each time the key (4) for dispensing a tablet is pressed, the first counting ring (9) is advanced by an angle increment, the next number being visible in the window (5). With the removal of the last daily dose both counting rings (9) and (10) are coupled together via a coupling mechanism and further rotated together by an angle increment. The first counting ring indicates "0" in this example, the second counting ring indicates "02", ie the second day of the month on which no tablet has yet been taken.

The counter comprises a guide element (11), which is annular and hollow cylindrical, and in which a switching element (12) is arranged axially displaceable and rotatable azimuthally. A spring (13), here a helical spring, is mounted with its one end on the switching element (12) and with its other end on a base plate (14). This spring generates a restoring force against which the switching element is moved.

About this switching element, with its in Fig. 2 right end of the stimulus is directly on the opposite bottom surface of the button (4), the first counting ring (9) is rotated. When pressing the button, the switching element (12) in the fixed guide element (11) is axially displaced until the switching element (12) existing switching cam engage in a cam receiving in the form of a toothing of the first counting ring (9). As a result, a rotational movement of the switching element is initiated, and the first counting ring (9) is rotated by an angle increment. During the movement of the switching element (12), the spring (13) is tensioned, after releasing the button pressure, the spring (13) relaxes and returns the switching element (12) back to the starting position.

A lid (15) for covering the storage container (3) is fixed to the base plate (14). Optionally, the base plate may be integral with the lid (15).

Fig. 3 shows another embodiment according to the invention of a device (16) for dispensing aerosol cans. This device (16) comprises - see Fig. 4 - An invented counter (17) corresponding to the counter (2), and which is placed on a reservoir (18). The reservoir (18) is movably connected to the counter (17). When using the device according to Fig. 4 is to push an actuating means in the form of the container (18) in the housing of the counter, whereby an im Reservoir befindlicher mechanism is actuated, via which an aerosol dose from the reservoir (18) is discharged. The aerosol container (18) is connected via the spray sleeve (70) to a spray nozzle (19) in the assembled state. The spray sleeve (70) passes through the counter. The aerosol exits the spray nozzle (19). The spray nozzle (19) is immovably connected to the base plate of the counter (17).

The counter (17) works exactly like the counter (2). In the Fig. 3 Counter (17) shown, however, is a remainder meter, which indicates how many aerosol cans can still be dispensed from the reservoir (18). This is important for a user who needs the aerosol for medical reasons, to be able to provide timely replacement of the reservoir (18). In Fig. 3 If the number "131" is visible in the window (5), the storage container can still deliver 131 partial quantities. If one assumes, for example, a total number of 300 subsets which the reservoir can deliver, the second counting ring carries the number sequence "30, 29, 28, .... 02, 01, 00", the first counting ring carries the number sequence "0, 1,2, ..., 8, 9 ". This sequence of numbers can be applied several times on the circumference of the first counting ring.

Since the operation of the counter (17) corresponds to the operation of the counter (2) and both counters comprise essentially identically designed elements, the elements of the counter (2) are described below. If there are differences from the embodiment of the counter (17), these are specified explicitly.

The central element of the counter (2) is the guide element (11). The guide element (11) is annular and hollow cylindrical. It has on its inside guide portions (20) on which the in Fig. 6 shown switching element with its outer side (21) rests and is guided. The clearances (22) provided on the guide element (11) serve as suction channels for air in the case of the use of the counter in the case of an aerosol container.

The wall (23) of the guide element (11) includes two mutually opposite recesses (24), wherein an edge (25) of the recess as a cam surface (26) is formed when dispensing a dose, the moving switching element (12) with respect to the fixed guide member (11) forcibly leads. On the switching element (12) two outwardly directed projections (27) are present, which pass through the recesses (26) from the inside to the outside. If the switching element (12) is displaced axially by pressure on the button (4), the projections (27) slide along the cam surfaces (26). The cam surface (26) has a total of three distinguishable sections (26a), (26b) and (26c). In section (26a), which runs in principle parallel to the longitudinal axis of the counter, the switching element (12) performs a purely axial movement when moving. When the projections (27) running in the sections (26b) of the cam surfaces, a rotation of the switching element (12) is introduced simultaneously about its longitudinal axis with progressive axial displacement of the switching element (12). This rotation with respect to the stroke of the switching element (12) depends on the shape of the cam surface and can be set almost arbitrarily. In section (26c), the rotational movement is largely completed, the section (26c) allows substantially only an axial movement of the switching element, which catches the residual stroke.

During the axial movement of the switching element (12) in the region (26a) formed on the projections (27) switching cam (28) in each case a cam receiver (30) on the first counting ring (9) are introduced. The cam receiver is designed as internal toothing (29). By this coupling of the switching element (12) with the counting ring (9), the rotational movement of the switching element is transmitted to the counting ring (9). The front edges of the individual teeth of the toothing (29) are provided with inclined surfaces (31). When inserting the switching cam (28) meets first on an inclined surface (31), wherein the counting ring (9) is slightly turned on; Thereafter, the rotational movement controlled by the cam surface begins. At the end of the rotational movement, that is, when the key (4) has been largely pushed and the tablet has been delivered, the counting ring (9) is further rotated by an angle increment, and the next number is visible in the window.

The switching element (12) is moved against the force of the coil spring (13). The coil spring (13) - see Fig. 7 - Has at each end a retaining pin (32). A retaining pin is in a pin receiving (33) attached to the switching element (12), the other pin (32) is in a pin receiving (34) of the base plate (14) supported. The base plate (14) itself is fixed. When moving the switching element (12), the coil spring (13) is compressed and additionally twisted from the beginning of the cam-controlled rotational movement; As a result, restoring forces acting in two directions are generated. If, after completing the dose delivery, the button (4) is relieved, the coil spring (13) relaxes. The relaxation that occurs due to the axial compression shifts the switching element (12) in the axial direction, the torsional relaxation simultaneously rotates the switching element back to the starting position by the cam-controlled rotational movement. The return movement is supported by the cam surface (35) in the end wall of the recess (24).

On the guide element (11) guide surfaces (36) and (37) are present. On the guide surface (36) is the first counting ring with its inner undercut surface (38). On the guide surface (37) of the second counting ring with its guide surface (39). The counting rings and the guide surfaces are formed or arranged such that the peripheral portion (40) of the first Zählrings (9), on the outer surface of the label is applied, the slightly undercut portion (41) of the second Counter ring (10) overlaps, so that the provided with the respective labels outer surfaces (42) of the first counting ring and (43) of the second counting ring substantially flush with each other. At the second counting ring (10), a cover portion (44) is provided, which serves to cover the label on the first counting ring (9) when the total dose amount is completely removed at a residual amount counter.

It has been described above how the first counting ring is rotated by an angle increment upon actuation of the respective actuating means. However, it is also necessary at certain points in time or after a certain number of delivered subsets to turn the second counting ring also by an angle increment.

The mechanism suitable for coupling the first counting ring to the second counting ring comprises a latching pawl (45) provided on the first counting ring and movable in the manner of a spring arm. The latch (45) has a first projection (46) and a latching nose (47). The first projection (46) extends in the direction of the base plate (14). On the base plate (14) is - see Fig. 11 - In the example shown, a further projection (48) at a certain position available. When the first counting ring (9) has a corresponding rotational position, the projection (48) cooperates with the projection (46) during the next rotation of the first counting ring. The projection (46) runs with its inclined surface (49) on the further projection (48), wherein the latch (45) is raised. During this lifting, the latching lug (47) engages in the spur toothing (50) of the second counting ring (10). The toothing (50) has inclined surfaces (51). If the first counting ring (9) is further rotated, the second counting ring (10) is simultaneously further rotated by an angle increment as a result of the movement coupling. Once the projection (46) has moved over the projection (48), it moves behind it back to its original position, whereby the coupling between the two counting rings is released. With each further movement of the first counting ring, the second counting ring is not moved. At the periphery of the base plate (14) a plurality of projections (48) may be present when the second counting ring is to be moved in several rotational positions of the first counting ring.

So that the counting rings (9) and (10) remain in their respective positions, spring arm-like pawl pairs (52) and (53) are present on the guide element (11). The two pawls (52) cooperate with the internal toothing (29), the two pawls (53) cooperate with the spur toothing (51). About locking lugs (54) and (55) engage the pawl pairs (52) and (53) in the respective teeth and thus lock the respective counting ring in position. In both pawl pairs (52) and (53) engages the one pawl of the pawl pair (52) in time before the other pawl of the pawl pair (52). The same applies to the pair of pawls (53). hereby is an actuation of the actuating means, which has led to the dispensing of a tablet or the like, is already counted, even if the stroke of the switching element has not been fully traversed, since the first leading pawl has seized, the second pawl but not yet. Now that the stroke is completed and the actuator is relieved, the count is maintained, although only one pawl has seized.

Fig. 5 further shows a stop (55) on the guide element (11) on which abuts a projection (55a) provided on the second counting ring (10) when the second counting ring has reached its final turning position and the number "00" appears in the viewing window on the second sewing ring , This limitation of the end position of the second counting ring is required only in the case of a residual or total quantity counter. In a daily amount counter either the stop (55) or the projection (55a) is missing.

Furthermore, a plurality of latching elements (56) are present on the guide element (11), by means of which the guide element (11) on the base plate (14) locked; the base plate has a corresponding, the annular space (57) delimiting edge shoulder (58). When locking forms a difficult to detach unit of guide element and base plate.

On the opposite side of the guide member (11) further locking elements (59) are present, which engage behind the shoulder (61). The shoulder (61) defines the annular opening (60) of the second counting ring (10). The locking of the guide element (11) on the base plate and on the second counting ring (10) leads to a hard to detach, preassembled unit comprising the elements second counting ring, guide element, switching element, spring, first counting ring, base plate.

As the 8 and 9 show, the first counting ring (9) has an approximately 270 degrees circumferential external toothing (62). The second counting ring (10) has - see Fig. 10 - A further toothing (63) on the end edge, which is opposite to the end edge with the spur toothing (50). By means of the toothings (62) and (63), the starting position of the respective counting ring can be adjusted, which is necessary in particular for daily quantity counters. At the beginning of the removal, the number "1" should be set on the second counting ring of the respective day and possibly on the first counting ring.

The FIGS. 12 and 13 show the housing (6) in detail. This housing (6), the - see Fig. 1 and 3 - The counter almost completely encapsulated, next to the window recess (5) has further openings (64) through which - see Fig. 1 and 3 - The teeth (62) and (63) are accessible and tangible by means of a tool. In this way, the counting rings can be adjusted to the desired starting position.

The housing (6) has at its one end a plurality of detent elements (65) by means of which the housing is latched to the base plate (14), wherein the latching elements (65) the Embrace the base plate. On the opposite end side, an undercut shoulder (66) is present, on which the key (4) with the shoulder (67) provided there is counter-mounted. Overall, this results in a fully encapsulated counter, whose elements are virtually inextricably linked. The counter can be placed in a simple manner on a storage container - eg on a tablet container.

When using the meter with an aerosol container - see FIGS. 14 and 15 - There is a disc-shaped body (68) having a receptacle (69) for the spray sleeve (70) of the aerosol container (18). Outgoing from the side, the nozzle (71) is mounted, from which the aerosol is ejected. The nozzle (71) protrudes into an edge recess (72) of the housing. The aerosol is expelled from the housing in the region of this edge recess (72),

All elements of the counter are preferably made of plastic. The central elements are the guide element and the switching element, preferably made of a high-quality plastic, z. B. polyoxymethylene are made. The counter can be easily mounted because it is a simple plug-in system. Only the spring is preferably made of metal, but it can also be used a plastic spring.

In the window opening of the housing, a magnifying glass may be present. This magnifying glass can be used as a separate element in the housing, if the housing consists for example of an opaque plastic. The magnifying glass can be made in one piece with the housing when the housing is made of a transparent plastic, for. B. polymethylmethacrylate exists.

The counter can also be used in conjunction with an elbow for an inhaler. In this case, the spray nozzle can be integrated in the elbow and only the aerosol container together with the snapped onto the aerosol container counter can be inserted into the elbow.

Claims (32)

1. Counter for counting metered doses of products in liquid, paste or solid form from a storage container, wherein the counter

   • comprises at least one counting ring which is arranged coaxially with the longitudinal axis of the counter and is rotatably mounted, and

   • is provided with a switching device for rotating the counting ring on actuation of an actuating device which is movable in substantially linear manner and in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the counter, and on actuation of the actuating device a dose of the product is dispensed from the storage container,
   characterised in that

   • the switching device comprises a guide element (11) and a switching element (12) both of which are arranged coaxially with the longitudinal axis, the switching element (12) being axially and azimuthally movable in relation to the guide element (11), and

   • the switching element (12) comprises a projection (27) which, on actuation of the actuating device (4), is guided along a cam surface (26) provided on the guide element (11) such that a switching cam (28) provided on the switching element (12) is brought into engagement with a cam recess (30) provided on the at least one counting ring (9) and then a rotary movement is initiated, by means of which the at least one counting ring (9) is rotated by an angular increment.
2. Counter for counting metered doses of products in liquid, paste or solid form from a storage container according to claim 1, wherein the counter

   • comprises a first counting ring and a second counting ring which are arranged coaxially with the longitudinal axis of the counter and mounted to be rotatable relative to one another and can be coupled to one another, and

   • is provided with a switching device for rotating the first counting ring on actuation of an actuating device which is movable in substantially linear manner and in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the counter, and on actuation of the actuating device a dose of the product is dispensed from the storage container, and

   • with a coupling device for coupling the first counting ring to the second counting ring for moving the two counting rings jointly,
   characterised in that

   • the switching device comprises a guide element (11) and a switching element (12) both of which are arranged coaxially with the longitudinal axis, the switching element (12) being axially and azimuthally movable in relation to the guide element (11), and

   • the switching element (12) comprises a projection (27) which, on actuation of the actuating device (4), is guided along a cam surface (26) provided on the guide element (11) such that a switching cam (28) provided on the switching element (12) is brought into engagement with a cam recess (30) provided on the first counting ring (9) and then a rotary movement is initiated, by means of which the first counting ring (9) is rotated by an angular increment.
3. Counter according to claim 1 or 2, characterised by

   • the cam surface (26) which is provided on the front edge (25) of a recess (24) in the wall of the substantially annular guide element (11) into which the projection (27) engages.
4. Counter according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that

   • the cam surface (26) is shaped such that the switching element (12) moves axially at the start of the movement, then moves in a combined axial and azimuthal manner, and at the end of the lifting movement preferably moves axially.
5. Counter according to one of the preceding claims, characterised by

   • the guide element (11) which is substantially annular, and

   • the switching element (12) which is substantially hollow-cylindrical, and which is arranged inside the guide element (11).
6. Counter according to one of the preceding claims, characterised by

   • two preferably opposing projections (27) on the switching element (12) and

   • two preferably opposing cam surfaces (26) on the guide element (11).
7. Counter according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that

   • the switching element (12) is movable counter to a restoring force.
8. Counter according to claim 7, characterised by

   • a spring (13) which generates the restoring force and which is tensioned during the rotary movement, and which returns the switching element (12) to its original position, while at the same time turning backwards, as soon as the switching cam (28) is no longer engaged in the cam recess (30).
9. Counter according to claim 8, characterised by

   • the helical spring (13),

   • which is mounted with one end on a base plate (14) and with its other end on the switching element (12).
10. Counter according to one of the preceding claims, characterised by

    • the switching cam (28) which is formed on the projection (27).
11. Counter according to one of the preceding claims, characterised by

    • a set of teeth (29) on the first counting ring (9) which cooperates with the switching cam (28), and which has an inclined surface (31) on the side facing the switching cam.
12. Counter according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that

    • on the guide element (11) are provided one or more guide portions (20) on which the switching element (12) abuts, at least one free section (22) being provided in which the switching element (12) is at a spacing from the guide element (11).
13. Counter according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that

    • on the guide element (11) are provided at least two locking pawls (52, 53) each of which cooperates with a set of teeth on the first or second counting ring (9, 10), respectively, and prevents the counting rings from rotating in the opposite direction to the direction of counting.
14. Counter according to claim 13, characterised by

    • two locking pawls (52, 53) arranged offset from one another, which engage in the teeth at different angles of rotation during the rotation of the respective counting ring (9, 10).
15. Counter according to one of the preceding claims, characterised by

    • guide surfaces (36, 37) for the first and second counting rings (9, 10), which are provided on the guide element (11), and

    • at least two latching elements (56, 59), one of which engages behind a latching portion of the second counting ring (10) while the other engages behind a latching portion of the base plate (14), the base plate (14) guiding the first counting ring (9) on the side opposite the guide element (11), so that

    • the counting rings (9, 10), the guide element (11), the switching element (12), the spring element (13) and the base plate (14) form a unit that can be handled.
16. Counter according to one of the preceding claims, characterised by

    • the coupling device which comprises at least one first projection (48) provided on the base plate (14) and at least one latching pawl (45) provided on the first counting ring (9) and having a second projection (46), the first projection (48) cooperating with the second projection (46) in a corresponding rotational position of the first counting ring (9) such that the latching pawl (45) is raised and engages in a set of teeth (50) provided on the second counting ring (10).
17. Counter according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that

    • on the guide element (11) is provided an abutment surface (55) which is contacted by a projection (55a) provided on the second counting ring (10) when the second counting ring reaches a rotational end position.
18. Counter according to claim 17, characterised in that

    • on the second counting ring (10) is provided a cover portion (44) which is rotated into a viewing position as the second counting ring (10) moves into its rotational end position and which covers a part of the first counting ring (9).
19. Counter according to one of the preceding claims, characterised by

    • a substantially hollow-cylindrical housing (6) which has at least one window portion (5) through which the markings provided on the outer surfaces of the counting rings (9) and (10) are visible.
20. Counter according to claim 19, characterised by

    • an optical magnifying element that is provided in the window portion (5).
21. Counter according to claim 19 or 20, characterised in that

    • on the housing (6) are provided at least two openings (64) through which a set of teeth (62, 63) on each of the first and second counting rings (9, 10) can be accessed for adjustment purposes.
22. Counter according to claim 21, characterised by

    • two openings (64) arranged in each case at a spacing from one another on the circumference of the housing and associated with each counting ring (9, 10).
23. Counter according to one of claims 19 to 22, characterised by

    • latching elements (65) which engage behind a latching portion of the base plate (14) on at least one end face of the housing (6).
24. Counter according to claim 23, characterised by

    • a shoulder (66) which supports the actuating device (4) on the opposite end face of the housing (6).
25. Counter according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that

    • the switching element (12) abuts directly on the actuating device that is axially movable on actuation.
26. Counter according to one of the preceding claims, characterised by

    • the actuating device which is in the form of a key (4) that is a fixed component of the counter, or

    • the actuating device which is in the form of a storage container (18) that can be coupled to the counter.
27. Counter according to one of the preceding claims, characterised by

    • a cover (15) that is formed on or secured to the base plate (14) and that covers the storage container (3), or

    • a spray nozzle (19) that is formed on or secured to the base plate (14).
28. Counter according to one of the preceding claims, characterised by

    • a securing mechanism which prevents accidental or unauthorised actuation of the actuating device.
29. Device for the metered dispensing of products in liquid, paste or solid form, comprising

    • the storage container (3, 18) that contains the product to be dispensed, and

    • the counter (2, 17) according to one of claims 1 to 28.
30. Device according to claim 29, characterised by

    • the counter (2, 17), which can be releasably placed on the storage container (3, 18), or

    • which forms an irremovable integral part of the storage container.
31. Device according to claim 29 or 30, characterised by

    • the storage container (3, 18), which is in the form of an aerosol bottle or a pot-shaped container.
32. Device according to claim 31, characterised by

    • an - optionally angled - mouthpiece in which the counter (2, 17) is releasably or irremovably secured, and into which the aerosol bottle can be releasably inserted.

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